Portable electronic sound, physioacoustic, and colored light therapy system

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a portable integrated sound, physioacoustic, and colored light apparatus. This is a self-contained electrically powered device designed to stimulate and facilitate the human body&#39;s innate self-healing mechanisms. The active components are housed in a portable pyramidal-shaped lower enclosure ( 100 ) with a single recessed panel ( 102 ) on one side of the unit containing a user interface for controlling the pitch and tonal quality of the generated sound and physioacoustic frequencies. The unit also contains specified colored light elements situated under a quartz crystal pyramid capstone ( 108 ) which react with the sound frequencies by increasing and decreasing in intensity. The user or therapist has the capability to access the electronically generated sound source to achieve a wide variety of tonal sound and vibrational components, as well as the ability to select the desired colored light therapy component.

ROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent Ser. No.60/639,460, filed 2004 Dec. 23 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Filed of Invention

This invention relates to an integrated sound, physioacoustic, andcolored light apparatus; particularly to a portable, user-controlledunified system device.

2. Prior Art

Sound directs matter and thus anything that exists in the currentphysical reality can be directly and profoundly influenced by sound. Thehuman DNA functions within a specific pattern of frequencies and thesefrequencies direct all of the physical body's processes and thus thetype and range of perception that can be physically experienced. This isof paramount importance to maintaining a healthy human body. If one candirect human perception and experience through sound manipulation, itcan heal physically as well as emotionally. Therefore, the manipulationof sound frequencies of a specific nature and manner can createresonances, implications, and other direct triggers to the humanphysical system which will manifest in the form of physical (andnon-physical) experiences.

For centuries, mechanical toning apparatus has been used to achieve astable toned sound towards this end. Tibetan monks have used largeresonant “singing” bowls as part of their meditative practice, creatingsimple yet profoundly powerful harmonic structures as part of theirdaily meditations and as a pathway to spiritual enlightenment andsuperior health. Australian Aboriginal peoples have used a wind deviceknown as a didgeridoo as part of their spiritual and healing practicesince before recorded history. Unfortunately, mechanical toning devicessuch as these must be continually stimulated in some participatory wayto generate sound.

In recent history, the only devices capable of generating stable,continual, and listenable physically supportive sounds were musicalinstruments such as synthesizers. However, they too must be manipulatedto a high degree in order to create their sound, and most of them do nothave the capability to project the developed sound without an externalmeans of amplification.

In addition, there is a performance aspect to a musical instrument suchas a synthesizer, which many non-musicians find highly intimidating. Aset of piano keys placed in front of a person produces a degree ofexpectation of being able to competently operate the musical appliancewith an intention to produce sound in the form of music and toentertain.

Further, the other functional aspect of sound utilized as a sensorymodulation technique other than the audible component is the vibrationalor physical component. This component is primarily effective to thehuman body as a vibrational modality only at the lower end of thefrequency spectrum, typically at or below 150 Hz. The practice ofimplementing sound expressly as a vibrational stimulation technique is anewly developed science known as “physioacoustics”.

Physioacoustics is a scientific method of applying low frequencystimulation to the human body in such a way as to obtain desiredemotional or physical effects. Physioacoustics may be thought of as thescience that takes the active ingredients out of music, concentratesthem, and infuses them in pure form to motivate or heal.

The delivery system must be considered when imparting the created soundfor it to be experienced by the listener, or in the case as a sensorymodulation technique in physioacoustic therapy. Several types ofdelivery systems have been proposed—for example, a chair, as disclosedin U.S. patent US200100260.87A1 to Tomita (2001) or a bed apparatus asdisclosed in European Patent EP0417388A2 to Komatsu (1991) have beenused with a similarly associated objective. However, these technologiesare only intended to reproduce pre-recorded sound and do not incorporatethe capability for the user to generate and develop the sound. Anotherdisadvantage of these technologies is that the apparatus is large andunwieldy, so that the placement of the apparatus is essentially apermanent installation.

An addressed portable application was proposed, for example in U.S.patent US20050015027A1 by Kojima (2005) describing a vibrating cushion.Although portable, this is another example of a recorded soundreproduction apparatus, affording the user no real-time continuouscontrol over the content of the source information. The property ofincorporating colored light therapy is not addressed by this invention.

The use of ambient colored light may be incorporated into the use ofsound as a sensory modifying and healing modality. The practice ofapplying colored light therapy (Phototherapy), is known to have comeinto being over one hundred years ago, beginning with Swedish physicianDr. Niels Finsen's work in 1893 for the treatment of smallpox utilizingred light. Ongoing research in the application of other colors ofvisible light continue to be used in the treatment of painful joints,skin burns, headaches, fevers, and emotionally-based problems.

A delivery system has been proposed—for example, WO01/45780A1 to Fenyo(2001) discloses a whole room process and apparatus whereas a coloredlight apparatus is provided as an associated healing modality togetherwith a sound reproduction apparatus. However, there is no mechanism forreactively associating the sound information with the selected lightcolour or intensity. This feature is desirable, as the synchronizationof the two sensory modalities has a valuable effect towards achieving asynchronic “whole-system” effect conducive to human physiology. Alongwith that aspect, the apparatus described also shares the disadvantageof being a permanent installation and inherently expensive.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several novel objects and advantages of my invention are:

-   (a) to provide a device capable of electronically generating a    stable, continual, and listenable physically supportive sound in a    stereophonic format requiring no musical training;-   (b) to provide a device which can also utilize the generated sound    as a means of physioacoustic stimulation,-   (c) to provide a means of allowing the user to interface with the    sound generating apparatus whereby they may control a wide variety    of intrinsic parameters such as pitch, volume, and the tonal    characteristics of the generated sound as well as that of the    physioacoustic stimulation;-   (d) to provide a colored light therapy apparatus which is    responsively associated with the generated sound information so as    to be experienced as incorporated with the sound;-   (e) to provide all of these healing modalities in an attractive,    stand-alone, reasonably inexpensive portable enclosure that may be    incorporated into already existing human physical support apparatus    or furniture.

Further objects and advantages are to provide the user with aprogrammable free-running timer function allowing the device to functioncontinually and indefinitely automatically generating pitch andassociated colour changes until user interaction determines otherwise.This feature would be valuable for integrating the device with otherpractices or human occupations that require the use of the hands. Stillfurther objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent froma consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention advantageously provides an integrated sound,physioacoustic, and colored light apparatus, and particularly to aportable, user-controlled unified system device. It is intended that theuser have the capability to access the electronically generated soundsource to achieve a wide variety of tonal sound and vibrationalcomponents as well as the ability to select a desired colored lighttherapy component.

This interactive aspect of the present invention is superior to existingrecorded sound or music reproducing apparatus.

Furthermore, by providing all of these healing and sensory modificationmodalities in a unified portable format, problems associated with fixedinstalled systems such as high production costs and immovability areeliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the underside of base panel shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a detail drawing of the front panel elements and userinterface controls of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic example of the block diagram of the electronicsound and light generating assembly circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the novel portable electronicsound, physioacoustic, and colored light therapy system will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1-4 indetail.

Incidentally, since the embodiments described below are preferredspecific examples of the present invention, and although technicallypreferred various limitations are given, the scope of the presentinvention is not limited to these embodiments unless there is adescription to limit the present invention particularly in the followingexplanation.

The present invention is a portable, self-contained electrically poweredapparatus designed to generate a stable, controllable audible andvibrational sound energy and a corresponding colored light. Allelectrical components are housed in a pyramidal shaped enclosurestructure, approximately 1 foot in height. It is roughly constituted bylower cabinet housing 100, constructed from natural materials such asbut not limited to hardwood, with attached base panel 106, of a similarmaterial, creating a sealed resonant chamber. Crystal Capstone 108 iscomprised of solid quartz permanently mounted atop the lower cabinetstructure, through which the generated light is allowed to project. Asingle recessed control panel 102 is on one face of the lower cabinetunit. This panel also contains the entry point for the AC supply cord104. Four mechanically keyed plates 110, 110, 110, 110 are recessed intothe base panel.

The control panel 102 is the only control surface located on thestructural housing and contains the user interface for controlling thepitch, volume and tonal quality of the generated sound frequencies. Theentry point opening 112 for the AC supply cord 104 is also located inthe panel, where the unit power switch 114 and accompanying AC supplyfuse holder 116 also reside. This connects to the power supply PC Board200, providing regulated DC supply voltages to the panel PC board 300,main PC board 400, and power amplifier PC board 500.

The pitch and color methodology of the system is based on the classicEastern philosophy of the existence in the human body of an organizationof unseen energetic vortexes called Chakras. Traditionally, each one ofthese energetic centers has a corresponding musical note frequency andcolour frequency associated with it. The colored light aspect of thepresent invention is designed and organized utilizing this ancient anduniversally accepted convention.

As a unified, widely accepted platform used to develop and integratesound and light therapy, the Chakra system is ideal. This system isphysically organized in order from lowest to highest as one moves up thehuman body's spinal column. The corresponding musical note pitchincreases in frequency accordingly as does the colour spectrumfrequency. The colors are organized in order from lowest to highest asRed, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. This embodimentemploys an 8^(th) location as a mute location. This display ladder array118 is depicted by the human figure which is backlit by 8 LEDs.

Pitch control is determined by select button 120, selecting which of theseven available base pitches and its corresponding colour the systemwill generate. Furthermore, there is a mode slide switch 122, whichdetermines which of the two available pitch/colour selection statusesthe unit will operate in, the options being either manual mode or timedmodes. The timer start button 124, and the interval length control knob126, determine the operational parameters when in timed mode.

The Main PC board 400 has three independent voltage controlled tonegenerators, 401, 402, 403, audio signal mixer 404, colored light displayselection circuitry 406, four sets of colored light display drivercircuitry 408, each driving a bank of colored LEDs 410, headphone volumecontrol circuitry 410, and output volume control circuitry 412, mountedthereon. The audible output of TONE 1 is selected by slide switch 128.The audible output of TONE 2 is selected by slide switch 130. Theaudible output of TONE 3 is selected by switch 132. The relative amountof audible output generated by TONE 3 is variable via control knob 134.

Control knob 136 varies the pitch of TONE 2. Control knob 138 varies thepitch of TONE 3. Slide switch 140, selects the routing destination ofthe waveform developed by the TONE 3 oscillator. Knob 142 controls thevolume level amount of the audio appearing at the headphone jack 144.Knob 146 controls the signal volume level at external audio jack 144,and the amount of the audio being sent to the power amplifier PC board500 which in turn drives the physioacoustic driver 501.

Operation

The device may be operated by placing it on any level surface andapplying AC power via the power cord 104. The device will generate soundfrequencies and impart the sound energy through physical contact withany associated surface.

A naturally resonant conducive material is most effective fortransmitting the sound energy. The four mechanically keyed plates 110,110, 110, 110 located on the underside of the unit allow attachment to aphysical surface such as a floor, wall or massage table. A dimly litroom is recommended to enhance the effect of the colored lightapparatus.

A therapist or user switches on power by placing the power switch 114 inthe ON position. Applying power to the device instantaneously causes theunit to begin generating a stable tone and corresponding emitted light.

The sound will be heard and felt through the lower cabinet 100, thecolored light emitted through the crystal capstone 108. The pitch ofeach of the tone generators as related to the corresponding color whichis displayed on the panel figure 118 to the left of the select switch120 and also corresponds to the colored light emitted through thecrystal capstone 108. The generated stereo sound output is monitored byplugging a set of stereo headphones into the audio jack 144 andadjusting the volume 142.

The generated sound frequency pitch is selected by depressing the selectbutton 120. Each time the select button 120 is depressed, the pitch willincrease corresponding to the next highest Chakra setting, moving up oneposition the array ladder in the order indicated above. When the selectbutton 120 is depressed while the system is at the 7^(th) Chakraposition, the system will advance to a “mute” position, whereas thesound and emitted light will cease in this location. Depressing theselect button 120 once again will start the cycle from the 1^(st) Chakraposition (Red).

The mode slide switch 122 determines whether the control of theselection process is in either the manual when in the up position, or inthe timed mode in the down position. The timed function will overridethe select button 120, and automatically select the pitch and color at aprogrammed rate per Chakra location dependent upon the setting ofcontrol knob 126. The timer interval is initiated by depressing button124. The select function also determines which of the four LED 410colors will activate to create the appropriate resultant color. Thecolored LEDs 410 situated beneath the crystal capstone 108 respond tothe generated sound frequencies by increasing and decreasing inintensity.

The pitch of tone generator 1 401 can be considered the reference pitchand is dedicated to a preset internally tuned pitch for each of theseven Chakra locations outlined above. A wide range of sound qualitiesare available by combining the three tone generation sources available.Each tone generator each feature a soft and hard tonal qualityselectable via switches 128, 130, and 132. The soft tone switch positiongenerates a sound comprised of an odd-order harmonic series and isreminiscent of a singing bowl. The hard tone switch position generates asound comprised of even and odd-order harmonics and is reminiscent of abassoon. The generated frequencies are in the 26-555 Hz audio range.

The pitch of tone generator 2 402 is variable and has a control knob 136for independently varying the pitch of that tone. Full counter-clockwiseon this control tunes the pitch to unison with that of the pitch of tonegenerator 1 401. Full clockwise increases the pitch to about an octaveabove tone generator 1 401. Tone generator 3 403 functions in the samemanner but is tuned an octave higher than tone generator 1 401 and tonegenerator 2 402 with the control knob 138 turned full CCW, and can bevaried up to about 2 and one half octaves above the pitch of tonegenerator 1 401. This allows adding complex upper harmonic components tothe low frequency sound. Rather than have a selectable off position onswitch 132, tone generator 3 403 has a volume that is controllable bythe amount control knob 134 when in audible mode, full clockwise beingthe maximum volume.

The routing switch 140 is a mode switch determining whether tonegenerator 3 403 will function as either an audible tone or as a pitchcontrol frequency for tone generator 1 401 and tone generator 2 402.Repetitive pitch changes may be used to affect the overall sound byusing this tone generator as a control source creating interesting pitchchange effects. This effect is best described as an “unseen hand”sweeping the pitch up and down in a consistently repetitive manner. Whenrouted as a pitch modulation source the amount of this effect isvariable via control knob 134.

This audio signal appearing at the headphone jack 144 is also audiblyand vibrationally reproduced within the unit cabinet through theinternally mounted physioacoustic driver 501. It has a separate knob 146for controlling that volume, which also controls the volume of the audiosignal appearing at the external audio out jack 148.

All of the controls pertaining to pitch, volume, and tonal quality arecontinuously variable by the user during operation.

ADVANTAGES

From the description above a number of advantages of the presentinvention become evident:

-   (a) By providing all of these healing and sensory modification    modalities in a unified portable format, problems associated with    fixed installed systems such as high production costs and    immovability are eliminated.-   (b) Any suitable human support system such as a massage table, floor    surface, etc. may be implemented as a vibrational vehicle.-   (c) For semi-permanent installations the keyed mechanical hardware    on the base of the unit cabinet allow for a removable attachment to    any physical surface.-   (d) This invention offers those without musical instrument training    the possibility of producing sound without the performance aspect    inherent in a musical instrument.-   (e) The user has the capability to access the electronically    generated sound source to achieve a wide variety of tonal sound and    vibrational components, as well as the ability to select a desired    colored light therapy component. They are able to effect changes in    pitch, tonal texture, and volume as they so desire. The immediacy of    the interactive aspect of this system is superior to that of a    recorded sound or music reproducing apparatus.-   (f) The ability to use a active stereo imaged sound of a continual    and repetitive nature has been clinically revealed to promote whole    brain activation, meditative states of mind and altered states of    consciousness.-   (g) Low frequency sound of the nature generated by the present    invention has been known to cause physiologic and psychological    calming, relaxation, relieve anxiety, and promote a sense of well    being.-   (h) The use of physioacoustic vibration can be applied as a means of    stimulating the physical human structure to achieve a massage effect    of the organs, lymphatic, and endocrine system, encouraging    detoxification.-   (i) Physioacoustic sound is a drug-free option for treatment of    chronic pain and can ameliorate pain without clouding the mind. The    FDA has listed physioacoustic equipment as a Class One medical    device and allows the claims of relief of pain, increase of blood    circulation, and relaxation.    Conclusion, Ramifications and Scope

Accordingly, the reader will see that the present inventionadvantageously provides a high quality, portable, and affordable sound,physioacoustic, and colored light apparatus with a high degree offlexibility in application.

Furthermore, the apparatus has additional advantages in that

-   it allows a bodywork health practitioner such as a massage    therapist, acupuncturist, or energy healer the capability of    integrating additional new healing modalities into their already    existing practice;-   it provides traditional health care practitioners such as medical    doctors the possibility of adding a “relaxation station” to their    waiting room to serve those prone to office visit anxiety;-   it offers dentists a drug-free, non-toxic option to their clients    during their stay in the examination chair by adding the calming    properties of sound and colored light to their treatment;-   it provides those with no musical training or aptitude the ability    to experiment with sound;

Although the description above contains many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodimentsof this invention. For example, the enclosure can have other shapes,such as circular, rectangular, or cubic; the materials may be changed tofacilitate production requirements; the control compliment may bealtered to include additional features, etc.

Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

1. A portable electronic therapy system, comprising: an enclosure; atone generator in the enclosure, said tone generator configured to emita tone having a frequency selected from a plurality of predeterminedfrequencies, wherein each predetermined frequency in the plurality ofpredetermined frequencies is associated with a chakra of the human body;and pitch selection means for enabling the frequency of the tone to beset at a predetermined frequency in the plurality of predeterminedfrequencies; wherein the enclosure comprises a control panel; whereinthe control panel comprises a display ladder array comprising an imageof a human figure and an array of lights arranged along the image of thehuman figure.
 2. A portable electronic therapy system according to claim1, wherein the enclosure comprises a housing comprising a control panel,and the pitch section means is a manual switch on the control panel. 3.A portable electronic therapy system according to claim 1, wherein thesystem further comprises a timer within the enclosure and the pitchselection means is an automatic switch controlled by the timer.
 4. Aportable electronic therapy system according to claim 1, wherein theenclosure comprises a housing, a base panel below the housing, and acapstone above the housing.
 5. A portable electronic therapy systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the housing and the base panel define asealed resonant chamber.
 6. A portable electronic therapy systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the enclosure is pyramidal.
 7. A portableelectronic therapy system according to claim 4, wherein the housingcomprises a light configured to emit light through the capstone duringoperation of the system.
 8. A portable electronic therapy systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising (1) second and third, tonegenerators configured to emit tones having frequencies not set by thepitch sections means, and (2) pitch control means for controlling thefrequencies of the second and third tone generators.
 9. A portableelectronic therapy system according to claim 8, wherein the enclosurecomprises a control panel and the pitch control means comprises knobs onthe control panel.
 10. A portable electronic therapy system, comprising:an enclosure; a tone generator in the enclosure, said tone generatorconfigured to emit a tone having a frequency selected from a pluralityof predetermined frequencies, wherein each predetermined frequency inthe plurality of predetermined frequencies is associated with a chakraof the human body; pitch selection means for enabling the frequency ofthe tone to be set at a predetermined frequency in the plurality ofpredetermined frequencies; second and third tone generators configuredto emit tones having frequencies not set by the pitch sections means;and pitch control means for controlling the frequencies of the secondand third tone generators.
 11. A portable electronic therapy systemaccording to claim 10, wherein the enclosure comprises a control panel.12. A portable electronic therapy system according to claim 11, whereinthe control panel comprises a display ladder array comprising an imageof a human figure and an array of lights arranged along the image of thehuman figure.
 13. A portable electronic therapy system according toclaim 10, wherein the enclosure comprises a control panel and the pitchcontrol means comprises knobs on the control panel.
 14. A portableelectronic therapy system according to claim 10, wherein the enclosurecomprises a housing comprising a control panel, and the pitch sectionmeans is a manual switch on the control panel.
 15. A portable electronictherapy system according to claim 10, wherein the system furthercomprises a timer within the enclosure and the pitch selection means isan automatic switch controlled by the timer.
 16. A portable electronictherapy system according to claim 10, wherein the enclosure comprises ahousing, a base panel below the housing, and a capstone above thehousing.
 17. A portable electronic therapy system according to claim 16,wherein the housing and the base panel define a sealed resonant chamber.18. A portable electronic therapy system according to claim 16, whereinthe enclosure is pyramidal.
 19. A portable electronic therapy systemaccording to claim 16, wherein the housing comprises a light configuredto emit light through the capstone during operation of the system.